The capture of _Barcelona_ obtained for the allied forces the applause of the nations of Europe, and in a great degree promoted the cause of King Charles in his efforts to succeed to the Crown of Spain. [Sidenote: 1706] The decease of Colonel Lutterell having taken place, he was succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel Josiah Churchill, on the 1st of February, 1706. The neglect of King Charles III. and his counsellors to secure the advantages obtained by the conquests before stated, and the persevering efforts made in favour of King Philip V. by the French, and by those persons in other countries who supported his cause, occasioned great difficulties, as well as serious losses to the allied forces. A powerful French and Spanish force by land, aided by a fleet, attempted the recapture of _Barcelona_, which was besieged in the beginning of April, 1706; but when the enemy had made preparations to attack the place by storm, the English and Dutch fleet arrived with reinforcements for the garrison;--the French relaxed in their efforts, and the siege was raised on the 11th of May. The city of Barcelona was thus relieved, and the allied fleet, with the troops on board, proceeded to the coast of Valencia; after capturing _Carthagena_, and placing six hundred Marines for its defence, the expedition proceeded to an attack upon _Alicant_, which, after a gallant resistance and severe loss, surrendered on the 25th of August, 1706. The fleet then proceeded to _Iviça_ and _Majorca_, which surrendered to King Charles III., and detachments of Marines were placed as garrisons in those islands. [Sidenote: 1707] The defeat of the allied forces under the Earl of Galway by the Duke of Berwick at _Almanza_, on the 25th of April, 1707, cast a gloom over the prospects of King Charles in Spain; and in June following, measures were adopted for co-operating with the Duke of Savoy and the Prince Eugene, in an attack upon Toulon. The fleet proceeded for the coast of Italy, and anchored between Nice and Antibes, when a conference took place with the commanders-in-chief of the sea and land forces, and it was decided that a joint attack should be made upon a portion of the enemy’s army which was entrenched upon the river Var; the enemy having evacuated his positions, they were immediately occupied by several hundred British seamen and marines; the passage was thus secured for the Duke of Savoy to prosecute his designs, and ships were stationed along different parts of the sea-coast: every aid was afforded by the fleet; but the enemy, having been reinforced, made a successful sally, and the allied forces sustained considerable loss; the siege was consequently raised on the 10th of August following. [Sidenote: 1708]